Perennial acaulescent herbs, variable with short stout, erect, truncate, rootstocks and numerous adventitious roots. Leaves in rosettes, spirally arranged, petiolate, sometimes not clearly distinguished into petiole and lamina; lamina ovate elliptic or rarely rotundate (1-) 10-20 (-30) cm long, (1-) 4-9 (-17) cm broad, rounded at apex, entire, subentire or sinuately dentate, 3-9 nerved, nerves divergent at the base, bases tapering and decurrent into long sheathing petioles usually equalling the lamina. Scapes many, 13-15 (-70) cm long, arched, erect, glabrous to slightly pilose. Spikes dense or lax, slender, narrow-cylindric, 5-15 cm long. Bracts equalling or shorter than the calyx, ovate-oblong, ± acute, brownish with a brown keel, margins scarious. Calyx 3 mm long, glabrous; sepals broadly elliptic, oblong to rounded obtuse or subacute, obtusely keeled, margins broadly scarious. Corolla greenish or yellowish white, 2-4 mm long, glabrous, lobes elliptic- ovate to narrowly triangular, 1-1.15 mm long, obtuse or acute, reflexed. Anthers at first lilac, later whitish or yellowish. Capsule 2-3 mm long, globose or subconic, glabrous. Seeds minute, 6-10 (-34), angulate, dull black, rugulose, 1-1.7 mm long, 0.8 mm broad.
Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain, white man's footprint, waybread, or greater plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. The plant is native to Eurasia.
The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten.
Plantago major is a herbaceous, perennial plant with a rosette of leaves 15–30 centimetres (6–12 inches) in diameter.[2][3] Each leaf is oval-shaped, 5–20 cm (2–8 in) long[4] and 4–9 cm (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) broad, rarely up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 17 cm (7 in) broad, with an acute apex, a smooth margin, and a distinct petiole almost as long as the leaf itself. There are five to nine conspicuous veins over the length of the leaf.[5] The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long on top of a stem 13–15 cm (5–6 in) tall and rarely to 70 cm (28 in) tall.[2][3]
Plantain is wind-pollinated and propagates primarily by seeds, which are held on the long, narrow spikes which rise well above the foliage.[3][6] Each plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds, which are very small and oval-shaped, with a bitter taste.[7]
Broadleaf plantain is not closely related to the fruit also known as plantain, which is a kind of banana.
There are three subspecies:[8]
The plant is native to most of Europe and northern and central Asia,[9][8][2] but has widely naturalised elsewhere in the world.[9][10][11][12][13]
Plantago major grows in lawns and fields, along roadsides, and in other areas that have been disturbed by humans. It does particularly well in compacted or disturbed soils. It is believed to be one of the first plants to reach North America after European colonisation. Reportedly brought to the Americas by Puritan colonizers, plantain was known among some Native American peoples by the common name "white man's footprint", because it thrived in the disturbed and damaged ecosystems surrounding European settlements.[14] The ability of plantain to survive frequent trampling and colonize compacted soils makes it important for soil rehabilitation. Its roots break up hardpan surfaces, while simultaneously holding together the soil to prevent erosion.[15]
The seeds of plantain are a common contaminant in cereal grain and other crop seeds. As a result, it now has a worldwide distribution.[10]
The mature plant contains pliable and tough fibres that can be used in survival situations to make small cords, fishing line, sutures, or braiding.[16]
Some cultivars are planted as ornamentals in gardens, including 'Rubrifolia' with purple leaves, and 'Variegata' with variegated leaves.[17]
The leaves are edible as a salad green when young and tender, but they quickly become tough and fibrous as they get older. The older leaves can be cooked in stews.[18] The leaves contain calcium and other minerals, and 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of plantain contain approximately the same amount of beta-carotene as a large carrot. The seeds are so small that they are tedious to gather, but they can be ground into a flour substitute or extender.[19]
Plantain contains phytochemicals including allantoin, aucubin, ursolic acid, flavonoids, and asperuloside.[20][21][22] Plantain extract has been studied for its potential health effects.[7]
Plantain leaves were used commonly in folk medicine for skin poultices on wounds, sores, or insect stings.[23][24] The root was used for fever and respiratory infections.[20][25]
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Growing in crack in sidewalk
Developing fruits
Cultivar 'Rubrifolia'
Plantago major, the broadleaf plantain, white man's footprint, waybread, or greater plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. The plant is native to Eurasia.
The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten.
